Florida: 5 Things To Know For July 29th

Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.

MAN KILLED IN SMALL PLANE CRASH ON VENICE BEACH

On Sunday morning, Ommy Irizarry posted a Facebook message about his 9th wedding anniversary, which was that day. He tagged his wife, Rebecca, in the post, saying he couldn’t wait to see what the next 100 years have in store. Hours later, 36-year-old Irizarry would be dead, killed during a freak plane crash on a Florida Gulf Coast beach near Sarasota. The couple’s daughter, 9-year-old Oceana, was critically injured.

POLL: FLORIDA VOTERS APPROVE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Florida voters overwhelmingly support the idea of legalized medical marijuana according to a Quinnipiac University poll. The poll released Monday morning showed that 88 percent of Florida voters support medical marijuana, compared to 10 percent who are opposed.

ORLANDO-BASED DARDEN SELLS RED LOBSTER

Darden Restaurants Inc. says it has finalized its sale of the chain to investment firm Golden Gate Capital, despite contentious protests from activist investors. In his first interview as Red Lobster’s new CEO, Kim Lopdrup outlined the missteps he thought his predecessors made and why he thinks Red Lobster can win back customers. Sit-down chains like Red Lobster have been struggling since the economic downturn as people cut back on spending. Such chains are also losing business to places like Chipotle and Panera, where people feel they can get restaurant quality food without paying as much.

TEENAGER SHOT OUTSIDE BRADENTON THEATER

A 17-year-old girl has been found dead after a shooting at a movie theater in Bradenton. Witnesses say Teria’le Rawls was shot early Monday morning during a fight in the parking lot of the Royal Palm Theater, south of St. Petersburg in Manatee County.

TUSKEGEE AIRMEN TO CONVENE IN ORLANDO

The 43rd national convention of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. kicks off this week in Orlando. Two dozen of America’s first African-American pilots and air crew who gained acclaim during World War II will attend the convention, which begins July 30 and runs through Aug. 2 at the Rosen Centre Hotel and Resort.